KNEE-DEEP IN WATER

Numain and Mider spy Vair running in the field with Nieve trying to catch up. The sorceress says under her breath,"Perfect opportunity,well Princess it is payback time!" She and the dark fairy decides to put Numain's mischief into action--conjuring warriors preventing Nieve from getting Vair. Then Mider creates a hideous creature---having Ivar and the other Mystic Knights dash outside, upon hearing Nieve's screams and a creature's loud roar outside the castle's wall. They see manifested a giant monster, heading straight for the little prince. The conjured soldiers create a wall between them and the child,then engage in battle with the knights trying to prevent them from rescuing Vair, who is screaming terrified.

The gargantuan creature towering over ten feet with spikes jutting out from its bright, red head---multiple glowing eyes and its spike-covered tail swishing noisily on the ground, stomps angrily towards Vair. He screams louder and louder, covering his ears but doesn't run, paralyzed with fear.

The Mystic Knights summon their armor and then battle the conjured images. The battle gauntlets take care of them quickly, then they try to distract the creature. The creature starts to lightly grasp Vair with its claw, ripping off a piece of Vair's shirt from the back, leaving the child unscarred and skin exposed, as planned by Numain. The little child is released and runs away.

The knights use their mystic weapons in unison destroying the creature , then Vair comes out of hiding, jumping straight into Ivar's arms, at which time he spies the torn-off portion of the shirt--exposed back--revealing to Ivar, a birthmark of royalty--a tiny version of a mark he had seen many times before, always planted like a tatoo on the back shoulder blade of generation after generation of males carrying the mark of his royal lineage! Ivar staggers falling to his knees in serious shock. Holding little Vair, Ivar stunned looks over at Deirdre with an expression of disbelief. Then without a word, the princess comes towards him and then strokes Vair's head, who is buried once again in Ivar's arms clutching his armored body. Her eyes are now locked with Ivar's--telling him the truth!

As others watch the princess and prince comforting Vair, and looking at both of their unspoken expressions, all present began to sense the truth too. Neither prince or princess speak to one another, they just continue to show their love and concern for the child. Then suddenly Ivar without looking up at Deirdre, extends his open palm to her, to which she grasps tightly, then he brings her hand to his lips, giving it a royal kiss. Then he kisses Vair's forehead, lifting his eyes to hers conveying his acceptance of their son, allaying Deirdre's biggest fear--Ivar's refusal to love his child due to mixed race heritage. He gives Vair back to Deirdre trying to conceal his disbelief and anguish inside--"Vair, my son! Mine! How could she not tell me? Why?"As he walks away from everyone.

King Conchobar's realization of the truth now hits him like a targeted spear through his chest, watching his daughter and the prince. He now also knows the reason for Deirdre's evasiveness about her love and father of his grandson.

Cathbad sees his earlier vision manifest then comments to Angus,"How is it that the Universe gives you a starring role first as a Mystic Knight, then as a shaper of royal destinies!" His eyebrow arched with confusion at him. At which Angus grins and replies,"Hey, I'm just a natural!" Lifting both his arms up into the air at him. Cathbad stares back at him for a moment, then laughs shaking his head, and with Rohan shoving Angus playfully.

Next to Angus and Rohan, Prince Garret remarks,"It's as if the wee one knew all along that Ivar was his father. How ironic,Ivar the world's greatest tracker, to track down Vair's father--finding out now it was HE that he was tracking down, all along!"Garret glancing at Ivar, wondering how he didn't see his real rival for Deirdre's affection.

Cathbad notices the king, then turns serious,"I better tend to my King,he is going to be needing my counsel." As he shuffles to Deirdre's stunned father.

Angus decides to go and talk with Ivar, with Rohan following him. They run catching up to Ivar's side. Angus putting his arm around the prince's shoulder stating,"I know how you feel at the moment, but give it time, Ivar. You need time to have it all sink in!"

Ivar pushes Angus off and explodes,"YOU KNEW! YOU KNEW DIDN'T YOU? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME ANGUS? WHY? OR SHE? HOW COULD SHE KEEP THIS FROM ME? WAS IT TO PUNISH ME BECAUSE I COULDN'T RETURN TO KELLS RIGHT AWAY AS I PROMISED? I believed in her. I thought we were on our destined path. You told me I didn't have what it took to fight for Deirdre--the fear--racial difference and the reaction of Kells! I couldn't come back--MY KINGDOM WAS IN ABSOLUTE CHAOS after the attempted assassination on my father. We thought we were about to lose him. I had to keep control, Jantar was useless, leaving the island, didn't know how to handle uprising and internal crises. I did it all! Then the forced marriage --an alliance to finally quell the uprising. I never loved her, the miscarriage of my child--I should feel something but I don't. My father's confession--he thought he was going to die so he told me a truth that has changed everything for me. I don't know who I am anymore. He's my father but she...she's not my real mother. Jantar..my sisters, I'm their half-brother. SWEET LUGH! SHE'S NOT MY BIRTH MOTHER! I DID THIS ALL FOR HIM AND HE KEPT THIS FROM ME ALL THIS TIME! I couldn't take anymore, so I came back to Kells because of Deirdre,to help Kells against Numain, who now has my Chalice, Mider and Maeve's disappear- ance. I thought I could trust Deirdre--she was to be my destiny, my future! I have abdicated my ascendancy to the throne. I dissolved my political marriage. It is not my home anymore! Now this? She could have sent a messenger! Did she not think I would have tried to be there for her? MY LUGH! MY CHILD! HOW COULD SHE THINK I'D NOT GET BACK HERE IF I KNEW SHE WAS CARRYING MY CHILD! I DIDN'T KNOW! You Angus, mentioned Samhain--Vair's birth date. You told me this so I would count back to the time of my departure of Kells, four years ago. How you baited me with who was she with before her pregnancy. You KNEW I was still here, making her already two months pregnant. Why didn't you come out and just tell me?" Ivar spouting at him angrily, grabbing his armored shoulders, lifting him.

Angus and Rohan are shocked at these new revelations, Angus mumbling,"Because I..I..DIDN'T KNOW FOR SURE! She never told any of us ANYTHING about the father. She's a princess, it's not my place to say anything but I guessed because of the secrecy of the grotto. How jumpy Deirdre would get, everytime I mention you and Vair in the same sentence. How she reacted to your attempts on finding out about Vair's father. Then Rohan said your skin color, I didn't know it could be possible that children of mixed heritage would show the looks of only just one parent!"Looking up at Rohan's surprised face, then back at Ivar's," I was just guessing, I had no idea...it was the truth!" Angus trying to convince him of his sincerity.

Ivar becomes so emotional, reeling from his father's confession and now discovering he is a father himself, confronted with the decisions about his and Vair's future. Does he stay in Kells? Does he take Vair from Deirdre if King Conchobar banishes him from the island? Does he legally claim him as his heir, entitling him to Ivar's inheritance? How will Kells react if he and Deirdre raise him together here? Can he get beyond the hurt that Deirdre committed? Can he trust her again? Royalty needs to make the proper decision, but he doesn't even know how to make the right decision on his own life, how is he to make it for Vair?

Rohan tries to comfort Ivar telling him about the discovery of Maeve as his mother, how overwhelmed he was how to deal with this truth. Running away didn't solve anything. How Deirdre felt about Ivar's sudden marriage then finding out after five months after he left she was pregnant. How she covered for four years for Ivar. She didn't punish, just hurt and scared of her father and Kells, every- thing confronted with motherhood. She didn't tell him because Ivar was married. She never thought he would return."See it from her perspective--alone--difficult confronted with your return. How to tell you and would you support her and Vair, love them after the truth was known. Give it time Ivar, you have to talk with her alone. She watched as you bonded with Vair, along with other Kells who couldn't understand until now why there was such a strong bond between you and Vair--Father and Son. Yes Kells are stunned, we never could have thought you were Vair's father--Vair's skin. We didn't know this was possible! If you and Deirdre are strong showing unity and family commitment, Kells will eventually try to accept. It is hard we never had this in Kells before. But your destinies are different, your own Oracle told you and so did the Lemurian Sky Lord. Challenges would have to be met and that you can weather the storms!"Rohan putting his hand firmly on Ivar's shoulder giving support and understanding.

But Ivar's skepticism has taken over,"I just don't know Rohan, I thought I knew what I was and wanted. Yes I love Vair and now that I know he's mine I will do what I must to keep him safe and happy. Deirdre..I don't know! Sweet Lugh! I rescued my own son, went into that collapsing pit, to rescue him and I didn't even KNOW HE WAS MY SON! Deirdre kissed me when I rescued Vair. I felt she loved me still but she said nothing afterwards, after I rescued our child. I am his father! I should have been able to comfort my own child too. She was ashamed of that, fearful of letting Kells know, yet she kisses me in front of all, even her father! He knows now! I saw his look! He is so stunned at learning the truth! What is going to happen?..I ..don't know." Ivar totally anxious about the uncertainty of his future and son's.

Angus steps in, "Rohan and I have a plan. Yes, he is shocked true, but Cathbad, Rohan and I will talk to him." He giving reassurance to Ivar.

Ivar surprised,"You would do this for me? Help me and Deirdre, even though you now know?"

"We are Mystic Knights, we stand together no matter what Ivar! You stood by us, comforted Rohan when he needed confidence, believed in his leadership as Draganta, and you believed me when I was falsely accused of thievery and went to jail. You found the real thief for me, getting me off. Now it's our turn to help you through this!"Angus and Rohan nodding and patting Ivar on the back, which then Ivar extends his arms around both of them,"You are my true brothers, thank you!"

Rohan continues,"You'll get through this Ivar, and so will Deirdre. You have a child to take care of now. He loves you and needs both of you. The petition he gave the king earlier, showed all Kells what you mean to him. Hard to believe he did all that for you. The king, Deirdre nor Cathbad did not really know how to respond. I know you were so upset about it. Angus showed it to you even though they didn't want him to, but inside he felt you had to see it!"

Angus added stating, "It's as if a powerful force put me on this mission to lead you to the truth. I created this whole mess, a prank at Kells Falls then all of this. I never meant to change your lives! But your destinies were already written in the stars, Ivar!" Angus looking down apologetically to which Ivar deeply sighs and remarks,"Des-tiny!"Closing his eyes. Nothing could ever prepare him for all of this--fatherhood, a relationship to a woman of another race and culture without a royal marriage, a son of Kells--a child that could face many hardships if Ivar and Deirdre doesn't do this right. He remembered his and Deirdre's debate with King Fin Varra at Tir na Nog:"With all due respect Your Majesty, I cannot accept this because I don't feel this is right! This destiny is wrong! I'm sure Deirdre and I are both in agreement that this would bring chaos to both our kingdoms! There are certain human societies that can tolerate mixed royal marriages but they are very rare! Kells do not have this kind of cultural acceptance, even though they have shown me great hospi- tality yes and I have many friends but a royal marriage..unheard of..in Kells' royalty standards." Then Deirdre stated,"What if we married and it is totally disastrous due to our different beliefs, the reunification would be stopped anyway. There are no guarantees in marriage arrangements. What of our future rulership--his kingdom or mine? How will the people of both kingdoms react to such an unconventional marriage and what of heirs and heiresses to the thrones? They will have to struggle through the legacies of what Ivar and I leave behind in this marriage!"...his memory fades out. Now it's a reality. Deirdre and he will have to walk through the fire of cultural bias, uncertain- ties of acceptance by other kingdoms as well as Kells' royal family, and maintain their credible authorities as future rulers of Kells. He tells Angus and Rohan, "Leave me, I need some time to find my way, somehow. I feel like I'm freefalling in my mind, my thoughts trying to grab onto something--secure a line of safety before the ground comes up and meets me! I'll see you two later." He walking away as if sleepwalking.

Angus turns to Rohan worrying,"You think he'll be alright? I mean remember his episodes? Perhaps Cathbad should be ready with his potion, just in case and by the looks of things, he sure could use something. Let's go see him!" Angus and Rohan head back to Cathbad's chamber.

Deirdre is in her chamber playing with Vair, when he asks his mother about Ivar's kiss on her hand and his head."He loves me, why can't he stay forever? I don't want him to ever leave me!" Deirdre looks down at him and doesn't know what to say or do. She knows Ivar knows the truth now, he saw the birthmark, he knows she hid the truth from him. Does he understand she did it to protect him? Does he know how hard it has been with him here? The pain of knowing he's married and yet it is she, not his wife that bore him his son. What does he think? What's to be their destinies now? Will he tell his wife? Vair will be crushed if Ivar leaves. Should she tell Vair that he is his father?"If I do and Ivar leaves or Father requests him to leave..will he take Vair with him? I couldn't stop him, Vair is his legal heir. I love him and my son. What can I do? Ivar and I are to follow our destinies. The Lemurian Sky Lord told us it would be hard but we must make it. We can get through anything, if we remain strong. Will Ivar keep his commitment? Will we be able to talk? Does he love me I know he loves Vair, I need guidance. Father has said nothing, he is so hurt and there is a chill. Everything is always in an upheaval. I thought once Maeve was out of the way and Kells had peace for a hundred life- times, no longer fighting Temrans but now.. we have new threats--Numain, Mider and Findar's family. Poor Ivar, the past just won't let him go. We need to talk. We need to protect Vair from Findar's family--their revenge is serious business, she remembering, how they sabotaged Kells ships, her coma and creating an uprising in Ivar's homeland. "We must not lose each other, otherwise the Dark Forces will win. What to do?" Suddenly a loud pounding on the door, she leaps up running over thinking it might be Ivar. She opens it surprised--Angus!" Angus, what are you.."which he interrupts,"Listen Deirdre. I didn't know..but sit tight Rohan,Cathbad and I are going to try and help you. I know you love Vair and don't want to lose him so we must get you and Ivar back together, to show a united front. The only way Kells is going to deal with this for you two to act responsibly as PARENTS. Yes Ivar is blown out of the water! He's hurt but the hurt is not just what you did Deirdre. Ivar has left his homeland for good! He's abdicated his ascendancy to the throne. He had dissolved his marriage, on the basis of no heir produced. He did this all to come back to you!" Angus spilling it all out excitedly, his eyes widening.

Deirdre's eyes register shock,"Wha..he's not married anymore? HE.. LEFT... HIS WIFE? He never said a word about it to me! Why didn't he tell me this right away?"Deirdre stunned and mystified, looking at Angus wondering.

Angus interrupts,"I know..I know, but wait there's more..his father thought he was dying revealing his mother is not really his mother. Ivar is a half-brother to Jantar and his sisters. He's reeling! He left to come back to Kells and to fulfill your destinies. He was scared about racial issues if he fought for you. Then when he met Vair he thought he had lost you to another nobleman. He accepted that, but he wasn't prepared to fall so hard for Vair. He would have found a way to return to be with you because of the baby, but you kept it from him, punishing him because he didn't come back right away as he had promised. Deirdre jumping in,"I did it all to protect him...us! I didn't know he would return,... he married!" Deirdre blurting out.

Angus nodding,"I know, I know....Rohan told him your side of it that how scared you were, with motherhood and all, and how you felt about his marriage. I think he understands. Ivar's out of it and needed some time alone to sort things out in his mind. Don't worry he loves Vair and he will do right by you and Vair. He knows what is at stake here. It's just hard for him betrayal --his father's secret, Findar, Freya and now the truth about his son Vair. It's all too much. Give yourselves some space, but you two must put on a united front for Vair's sake and show others particularly, your father, that you two are seriously committed and will go the distance for each other and Vair. It is the only way they will accept Ivar in your life. It is different when he fights alongside Kells as a Mystic Knight, a hero to all Kells, but as the future queen's lover, husband and father to Kell's royal children? Deirdre ...it is going to be a real uphill battle."Angus looking at her seriously, and Deirdre looking over at her son, then back at him, she nods quietly, "I know."

***

In Conchobar's Throneroom, the king sits at the table with his head buried in his hand, immobilized at the truth. His mind pulls out images--he and Deirdre when she was young--strong, serious, smiling loyal daughter unwavering love for him--proud to be a Kell. As the years flew by, he saw his daughter grow more beautiful and fiery everyday, a spirit of a warrior battling back the Temrans at his side, someday the queen of Kells. He saw a joyous, royal wedding between Deirdre and Prince Garret--a handsome lad and a great warrior, but then the prince's form transforms into Ivar, his daughter's love? How can this be? " Great Dagda! Why didn't I see this? How could I be so blind! Deirdre and Ivar laughing so loud together, fiery debates about battle strategies, quiet walks along the shores at night, Deirdre's reaction to Freya! Now I understand. Then Deirdre's coma and Ivar risking his life for her performing the immrama and then the two of them participating in Cathbad's Lemurian Ring Ritual, the looks on both their faces..filled with purpose and commitment--in their minds and hearts they wedded. He saw Ivar's strength, the support he has given her and counsel when she needed it. Deirdre seem to always listen to him, making her reassess situations. They communicated and were inseparable, and"I thought it was because they were almost the same age, friends and Mystic Knights. Ivar is older, more sophisticated and worldly-wise, than most of Kells' men, also a scholar and a fierce warrior who Kell soldiers admire and respect. He gave them his support as Chieftain's Battalion Liaison Officer. He is well-liked by all Kells." The king had to admit his own rapport with him. They got along so well--late at night chats exchanging stories of their battles and life's lessons together-- laughing and offering support, he started to think of Ivar as his son too, as as Ivar thought of him as a father figure. " Why did it all have to become so complicated. Why in Dagda's name is this happening? Kells have had many hardships in the past. It was now a time to rebuild and maintain peace over the island. My Daughter...Why Ivar!" The king folding his hands, with his chin resting on top of them.

Rohan watches the king distracted, deep in thought and starts to think this might not be the right timing, turns to leave when he hears the king address him,"Rohan was there something you wish to discuss?" He looking up at him.

Rohan turns and says,"I'll come back Your Majesty,I know you have more pressing problems..."to which the king with his hand gestures him to return to the table. Then he says slowly looking at the warrior,"It's Ivar you wish to speak to me about!"Staring directly into Rohan's eyes. Rohan automatically sits down and comments,"My King...sometimes we can't control our lives. Things happen that just don't make sense. Destinies taking us to unknown territory. As Draganta, I couldn't have come this far with the support of my friends. I didn't know how to face challenges very well but Ivar was always there to give me encouragement, support and believed in me as a leader, being there for me, as my friend. Ivar is reeling too, not knowing Vair was his son! There are so many things that you were not aware of, first of all, Deirdre and Ivar were just good friends, but the night of the Findar episode when Deirdre found Ivar in the beach grotto, things were forever changed between them. It was Deirdre who initiated the romance. Ivar tried to make her leave because he was in no condition to be with anyone, he didn't want anyone to see his pain, most of all Deirdre. But she wouldn't leave and she thought she was just comforting him and she kissed him, then one thing led to another, their emotions--passion took over, neither were prepared but their passions overtook them, it just happened. Ivar said had he been in his right mind he never would have let it happen. He was scared, so was she, they knew they had intense feelings, but they knew they couldn't be in each other's future, or so they thought.

Then there is the ring, Deirdre opening the Puzzle Box--Ivar's betrothal ring,that Cathbad had explained to you after the Lemurian Sky Lord encounter. Both of them didn't know what to do but it now created their destinies. Ivar stayed away from Deirdre, trying to return their relationship back into friendship, but it didn't work out that way. Ivar deliberately jumped his destined path by throwing himself to Freya with almost deadly consequences! He did it for you and Kells, My King. When Deirdre was in a coma, Ivar was devastated , that's why he was willing to sacrifice his life and performed that dangerous immrama. He would do anything for her, that when he realized just how much he felt for her.

He's angry and hurt because the one person he thought never would betray him has, by keeping the pregnancy and Vair's birth from him. You don't know what it has done to him. Ivar has revealed something shocking that gives you the depth of his feelings. My King, Ivar has left his homeland for good! He's abdicated his future throne!"Gasps heard thoughout the throneroom , the king shocked looking at Cathbad, who then states,"It is now complete! Ivar's homeland Oracle now is truth! Then reciting the Oracle's prophecy to all present:

"THE ORACLE STATES:PRINCE IVAR